With its soft white beaches, sparkling turquoise lagoon and luxurious accommodation and facilities, Velassaru is a bright new star in the Maldives’ constellation of superlative resorts, says Catherine Beattie. Scattered like precious gems across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is one of the world’s most sought after and romantic destinations. Nowhere else epitomises paradise on Earth quite as perfectly as these tiny coral islands basking in year-round sunshine and surrounded by warm translucent seas. We fell in love with the Maldives on our first visit in the early 90s when there were fewer resorts, no spas and most visitors arrived on charter flights. Today, more than 90 resorts have been developed, nearly all have spas and direct scheduled flights operate between the UK and the capital Male. Tourism is growing rapidly in the Maldives, but is carefully controlled to safeguard the...